OpenStax-CNX module: m14854

Elastic and plastic collisions

(application)

Sunil Kumar Singh

This work is produced by OpenStax-CNX and licensed under the

Creative Commons Attribution License 2.0

Abstract
Solving problems is an essential part of the understanding process.

Questions and their answers are presented here in the module text format as if it were an extension of
the treatment of the topic. The idea is to provide a verbose explanation, detailing the application of theory.
Solution presented is, therefore, treated as the part of the understanding process  not merely a Q/A session.
The emphasis is to enforce ideas and concepts, which can not be completely absorbed unless they are put
to real time situation.

1 Representative problems and their solutions

We discuss problems, which highlight certain aspects of the study leading to elastic collision. The questions
are categorized in terms of the characterizing features of the subject matter :

Collision in one dimension

Collision in two dimensions
Elastic potential energy in collision
Oblique collision
Loss in kinetic energy

2 Collision in one dimension

2.1
Problem 1 :

Two particles of mass m and 2m coming from opposite sides collide head-on elastically.

If velocity of particle of mass 2m is twice that of the particle of mass m, then nd their velocities after
collision.
Solution :

We see here that collision and motions are in one dimension. Let us denote particles of mass

m and 2m as 1 and 2 respectively. Let us consider that particle 1 moves in the positive x-direction
and particle 2 moves in opposite direction to the reference.
Let the velocities of particle of mass m and 2m after collision are 
Version

1.2: Aug 12, 2007 5:31 am -0500

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v1

 and 

v2

 respectively. Hence,

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Elastic collision

Figure 1:

Velocities before and after collision

v1i = v
v2i = 2v
and

v1f = v1
v2f = v2
Applying equation of conservation of linear momentum,

m1 v1i + m2 v2i = m1 v1f + m2 v2f

Putting values,

mv 2mX2v = mv1 + 2mv2

v1 + 2v2 = 3v
For elastic collision, velocity of approach equals velocity of separation. Hence,

v1i v2i = v2f v1f

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OpenStax-CNX module: m14854

Putting values,

v (2v) = v2 v1
v2 v1 = 3v
Adding two resulting equations,

2v2 + v2 = 0
v2 = 0
Putting this value in the equation of conservation of linear momentum,

v1 + 2v2 = 3v
v1 + 0 = 3v
v1 = 3v
It means that heavier particle of mass 2m comes to rest, but the lighter particle of mass m moves
with thrice its original speed in opposite direction. The situation after the collision is shown in the gure
below :
Elastic collision

Figure 2:

Velocities before and after collision

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2.2 Collision in one dimension

Problem 2 : A particle of mass m, moving with velocity v in a horizontal circular tube of radius r,

hits another particle of mass 2m at rest. If the inside surface of the circular tube is smooth and collision
is perfectly elastic, nd the time interval after rst collision, when they collide again.
Elastic collision

Figure 3:

Solution :

The particles collide in the circular tube.

The collision along circular path can be dealt in the same fashion as that of collision in

one dimension, because particle is constrained to move along a xed path. The particles will collide after
covering a distance equal to perimeter of the circular path at a relative speed with which they separate after
the collision.
For elastic collision, we know that relative speed of separation is equal to relative speed of approach.
Here,
Relative speed of approach = v = relative speed of separation.
Hence, time taken to collide again, t, is :

t=

2r
v

3 Collision in two dimensions

Problem 3 : Two identical particles moving with the same speed along two dierent straight lines collide

at the point where their trajectories meet. The particles, after a perfectly inelastic collision, move with half
the initial speed. Find the angle between the paths of two particles before collision.

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OpenStax-CNX module: m14854

Elastic collision

Figure 4:

Motion in two dimensions

Solution : This is a question involving motion in two dimensions. However, we can not proceed, using

component conservation equations. It is because we do not know the direction of nal common velocity. If
we proceed with component equations, we shall have more unknowns than equations.
We, therefore, make use of vector equation for conservation of linear momentum. We can nd resultant
linear momentum of the particles before collision.

According to conservation of linear momentum, the

magnitude of resultant linear momentum should be equal to the magnitude of nal linear momentum.
Let "

P1

" and "

P2

" be the linear momentums of two particles, making an angle   with each other.

Let each has mass m and speed v.

Then, applying theorem of parallelogram for vector addition, the

magnitude of resultant of linear momentums (P) is related as :

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Elastic collision

Figure 5:

Vector sum of momentums

P 2 = P12 + P22 + 2P1 P2 cos

P 2 = m2 v 2 + m2 v 2 + 2mvmvcos
P 2 = 2m2 v 2 + 2m2 v 2 cos
The common velocity of the combined mass after collision for perfectly inelastic collision between identical
bodies is half the initial velocity i.e. "v/2". On the other hand, magnitude of linear momentum after collision
is :

P 2 = {2m

v
2

}2 = m2 v 2

Combining two equations, we have :

m2 v 2 = 2m2 v 2 + 2m2 v 2 cos

cos =

1
= cos1200
2

= 1200

4 Elastic potential energy in collision

Problem 4 : A particle with kinetic energy collides head on with an identical particle at rest. If the collision

is elastic, then nd the maximum elastic energy possessed by the system during collision.
Solution :

Recall our discussion on drawing parallel of collision process with that of motions of two

block, one of which has a spring tail.

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We had discussed that when projectile block hits the spring with

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greater velocity than that of the target block, the spring compresses till velocities of two blocks equal. This
situation represents the maximum elastic potential energy of the colliding system.
Let the projectile block has velocity v, whereas the target block is stationary in the beginning as given
in the question. Let V be the common velocity of colliding particles during the collision, corresponding to
situation when system has maximum elastic potential energy.
Applying conservation of linear momentum to the system,

m1 v1i + m2 v2i = m1 v1f + m2 v2f

Putting values,

mv mX0 = mV + mV
V =

v
2

Kinetic energy before collision is equal to total mechanical energy of the system.

Ki = K =

1
mv 2
2

The kinetic energy when two particles move with common velocity is given as :

Kc =

 v 2
K
1
X2mXV 2 = mX
= mv 2 /4 =
2
2
2

5 Oblique collision
Problem 5 : A ball of mass m collides elastically with an identical ball at rest obliquely. Find the angle

between velocities after collision.

Solution : We can answer this question using equations available for collision in two dimensions. How-

ever, there is an elegant solution to this problem that we can attempt using the nature of collision.

We

know that collision normal force is perpendicular to the tangent drawn at the contact point. There is no
component of collision force in the tangential direction.
Oblique elastic collision

Figure 6:

The projectile makes an angle with normal collision force.

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Thus, if we stick to the analysis in these two perpendicular directions, then we can get the answer quickly.
Let the velocity of projectile ball (1) makes an angle   with the direction of normal force as shown in the
gure.
Analyzing motion in y  direction, we see that the projectile hits the target (2) head  on with
a component of velocity v cos

.

For this situation involving head on collision between identical balls,

velocities are simply exchanged after collision.

direction, whereas target gains a velocity v cos

It means that projectile's velocity becomes zero in this

in this direction.

Oblique elastic collision

Figure 7:

Analysis in mutually perpendicular directions.

Analyzing motion in x-direction, we see that there is no component of collision normal force in this
direction. This means that component of velocity in this direction remains constant. As such, projectile has
velocity v sin

in this direction, whereas target has no component of velocity in this direction.

In the nutshell, projectile moves with resultant velocity v sin

resultant velocity v cos

in y-direction.

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in x-direction, whereas target moves

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Oblique elastic collision

Figure 8:

Velocities are mutually perpendicular to each other after collision.

Hence, two identical balls, after collision, move in directions, which are at right angle with each other.
This is a very important result as it says that resulting motion in elastic collision of two identical bodies are
at right angle to each other irrespective of the angle at which they collide!

6 Loss in kinetic energy

Problem 6 :

A particle of mass 1 kg with velocity v collides head on with another identical particle

at rest. If kinetic energy of the system of particles after collision is 2 J, then nd minimum and maximum
values of initial velocity v of the projectile.
Solution : There is no (minimum) loss of kinetic energy in perfectly elastic collision. On the other hand,

there is maximum loss in kinetic energy in perfectly inelastic collision.

The velocity of projectile particle is minimum for perfectly elastic collision for a given kinetic energy after
collision.

Ki = Kf =

1
mv 2 = 2
2

1
X1Xv 2 = 2
2
v2 = 4

v = 2 m/s
The velocity of projectile particle is maximum for perfectly inelastic collision for a given kinetic energy
after collision, which is 2 J. Let v' be the velocity of the combined mass after plastic collision.
Then, applying conservation of linear momentum,

mv + mX0 = 2mv0

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10

v0 =
Kf =

v
2

1
1  v 2
2
2m(v0) = 2m
2
2
2
v2
=2
4

v = 2 2 m/s

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